The number of people working at companies supported by Enterprise Ireland fell by 19,000 last year, according to the State agency's end-of-year statement.
It said 2009 was a year of 'unprecedented challenge' for Irish exporters as a result of the significant drop in global demand and the effects of a weaker sterling and US dollar.
While Enterprise Ireland companies recorded around €500m in new export sales, total exports from these firms fell by around 10% to €13 billion.
But the agency says its companies have recorded growth in export orders in four of the past five months. Enterprise Ireland says that while the growth is small, the trend is encouraging when compared with the situation at the start of the year.
Enterprise Ireland provided financial help to around 1,600 companies this year. €59m was approved under the Enterprise Stabilisation Fund while a further €93.6m was paid through Enterprise Ireland's existing supports such as the R&D and Growth funds.
